Krishan Kant (28 February 1927 – 27 July 2002) was an Indian politician who served as the tenth vice president of India from 1997 until his death in 2002.[1] Prior to his vice presidency, Kant was the governor of Andhra Pradesh from 1990 to 1997.[2] He was a member of both houses of the Indian Parliament, representing Chandigarh in the Lok Sabha from 1977 to 1980, and Haryana in the Rajya Sabha from 1966 to 1977.[1]
Kant was born to parents who were independence activists in Punjab, British India,[1] and was himself arrested in Lahore during the Quit India movement.[2] After independence, he studied chemical engineering[1] and briefly worked as a scientist with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, before turning to politics.[2]
Kant was initially associated with the Congress, but later joined the Janata Party and the Janata Dal. He was considered as a candidate for the 2002 presidential election, as was routine for vice presidents.[1] However, the government and the opposition supported A. P. J. Abdul Kalam as the candidate.[3] Kalam took oath as president two days prior to Kant's death.[1] He remains the only Indian vice president to have died in office.
- ^ a b c d e f Inder Malhotra (29 July 2002). "Obituary: Krishan Kant, India's vice-president, who was determined to reform the nation's electoral laws and block political cupidity". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023.
- ^ a b c Purnima S. Tripathi (3 August 2002). "Obituary: A democrat and a radical". Frontline. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022.
- ^ "Congress for Kalam, Left still for contest". The Hindu. 14 June 2002. Archived from the original on 22 September 2002. Retrieved 28 May 2016.